Star Troopers
War is Hell, especially if you’re fighting intergalactic, brain-draining, fire-breathing arachnids from another planet. There’s a lot of thought and imagination wrapped up in director Paul Verhoeven’s big-screen war movie “Star Troopers,” but little sense and logic.
Working with screenwriter Ed Neumeier, (whose script is based on the popular novel by sci-fi guru Robert A. Heinlein), has fashioned a silly, old-fashioned, gung-ho war movie. “Starship Troopers” is the perfect popcorn movie for 12 year-old boys, decked out in the best special effects $100 million can provide. Dazzling visual and special effects can’t hide the fact that the film is stupid.
Very stupid. Very little makes sense in “Starship Troopers,” which can’t make up it’s mind if it wants to be tongue-in-cheek, or tongue-ripped- out-of-cheek. The first half of the film introduces us to the freshly scrubbed young cast who form a bond in high school, and then join the Federation to become citizens with alienable rights. They make a vow to be friends through thick and thin. They showers together. They get identical tattoos (no, not the co-star of “Fantasy Island”). The characters have names like Dizzy, and Ace, and Sugar.
Writer Neumeier gives the cast very little to play with except tired, old cliches from stock Word War II movies. If the filmmakers had taken any of this seriously, perhaps the cast would have too. Once the characters are introduced, they are sent off to war, where the special effects become the real stars. Phil Tippet, who created the digital dinos for “Jurassic Park” and it’s sequel, does a splendid job of creating a truly terrifying menace in “Starship Troopers.” They’re wicked, repulsive creatures, and give the film it’s only edge.
Scott E. Sanderson’s spaceship visual effects are exceptional, and real eye-openers, but for us to care about their fate, we’d have to care about the fate of those within, and quite frankly, I just didn’t care. The soldiers are set up for slaughter, until more than half the cast is either eaten, ripped in half, sliced, diced, shredded, or beheaded. However, you never feel for these characters. Paper thin to begin with, exterminating them should be considered an act of mercy killing.
COMPLETE CHECK-UP
VISION: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
The film looks terrific in a well-defined transfer that captures the film’s original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, quite frankly, the only way to watch this movie. There’s a lot of gore in the film, which is vividly rendered in bloodbath reds.
HEARING: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
Sound so vivid you would swear your living room was being invaded by giant bugs. Okay, who left the door open? Get the Raid! The 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround track is striking and honest in its separation. You also get a 2-channel track in French.
ORAL: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
Sub-titled in English, French and Spanish.
COORDINATION: [ X ] EXCELLENT [ ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
This special edition of “Starship Troopers” is jam-packed with all sorts of interesting and appreciated extras. There’s an alternate soundtrack featuring the filmmaker’s running commentary, which in the case of such an enormous undertaking, is worth a listen. You also get a documentary on the making of the film, and well as behind-the-scenes footage that looks at the creation of the bugs. My favorite extra? The screen test between Casper Van Dien and Dina Meyer that proves the two can really act when they’re lost amidst the scenery. Two additional scenes help flesh out the human aspect of the story. Tack on the usual extras like scene selection, theatrical trailer and cast & crew bios, plus an informative booklet, and they all add up to a well-produced package.
PROGNOSIS: [ ] EXCELLENT [ X ] GOOD [ ] RESUSCITATE [ ] D.O.A.
Forget the lame plot and the indistinguishable performances. Come for the bugs. This is an impressive film on a visual and audio level, one that will give your DVD player a workout.
VITALS: $29.99/Rated R/130 Min./Color/28 Chapters/Keepcase/#71719
ATTENDING RESIDENT: John Larsen
PATIENT: STARSHIP TROOPERSBIRTH DATE: 1997HMO: Columbia-TriStar Home Video
